Tirupur back in business!

Do you recollect the small town of Tirupur in Tamil Nadu? It was famous some years ago, before China and Bangladesh overtook this knitwear hub of the world. But it looks like its back into business; time to clean up the dust on the spindles and oil the weaving machines!

This small town is back in business with European countries once again sending out all the orders, once again poised for some major growth. With labour and safety issues, higher wages and political uncertianity plaguing China and Bangladesh, orders are now coming Tirupur’s way.  After the disastrous fire in Dhaka last year, Bangladesh’s garment exports have slowed to its lowest rate in 15 years. Orders, which mostly came from USA and Europe have now shifted to India, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia. Orders from bigwigs like GAP and Disney have already shifted to India.

After a deserted, gloomy kind of look which the town wore for last four years, it is once again looking like a boom town, with roads congested with traffic and new realty projects dotting the skyline once again.  It now has all the major retail outlets and auto showrooms are a big hit with the locals, with Jaguars and BMWs selling like hot cakes. Shows how economic growth can make or break a town; ditto for a country.